AN INVESTIGATION OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN EMPOWERING

WOMEN THROUGH OCEAN HERITAGES: A CASE STUDY OF WALVIS BAY,

NAMIBIA

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF
(MASTERS OF ARTS IN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES)

OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA

BY

TJOVA RAULINDA N FOLOLINDO

201301791

MARCH 2020

SUPERVISOR: DR. NHEMACHENA ARTWELL

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

The patriarchy and colonial systems created gender imbalances and power relations among

women and men in Namibia and this has caused gender inequality up to date in key major

economic sites such as ocean heritages. Namibia National Heritage Council (2004) defines

Heritage as remains of places and objects architectural, cultural or historical beneath the

surface on land or in the sea such as shipwrecks that are of significance importance.

Therefore, an investigation should be undertaken to identify opportunities and challenges in

which women could be empowered through ocean heritages that would promote gender

equality.

Namibia currently has two heritage sites; The Namib sand Sea and Twyfelfontein, (Zijl, n.d.).

The heritage sites are protected by The National Museum of Namibia and National Heritage

Council of Namibia (Eliot, 2017). These ocean heritages can be accessed by any Namibian

who have acquired permission from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources

(MFMR) as empowered by the provisions in the (Marine Resources Act no. 27, 2000). The

Namibia Constitution in article 10 states that no person shall be discriminated on the ground

of sex Konrad Adenaueur Stiftung (KAS,2018). To add on that, the strategic plan 2 of

Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare ensures gender equality and attainment of

girls and women empowerment (MGECW,2017).

Namibia is a country in Southern Africa, located in the central region of the Benguela

Current System (MITSMED, n.d). Walvis Bay is one of Namibia’s Coastal towns. It is a

town in which the Namib desert meets the sea and it is situated on the South Western Coast
 of Africa, amidst the Swakopmund River in the north and gravel plains to the east. The town

became- like the entire Cape Colony of South Africa in 1910 and only became part of

Namibia in 1994 after Namibia’s Independence in 1990 (Uushona & Makuti, 2008).

Human inequality was embedded by colonialism and it created artificial hierarchical, social

and economic divisions among men and women (! Khaxas,2005). Moorsom (1997) stated

that labour migration exclusively preserved male due to the monopolization of men in the

long-distance seasonal migrations. On the contrary, women did not have any formal or

substantive equality during the colonial era, nor did they enjoy freedom of movement, they

were legally regarded as minors under patriarchal control (Edwards-Jauch, 2014).

1.2 Statement of the problem

Occupationally only 108 women compared to 655 men are EXCO, managers and middle

manager specialists in the Namibia maritime industry ( Namport, 2012 as cited in Russel &

Wolf, 2012) Therefore, women should be empowered to occupy space in the ocean heritage

sites.

1.3 Research objectives

 To examine ways in which women are empowered through ocean heritages.

 To explore the involvement of women in the ocean heritages.

 To assess the available opportunities for women in the ocean heritage sites.

 To explore indigenization opportunities in respect of marine resources.

1.4 Significance of the study

The research may contribute towards discourse on knowledge and policy in ocean heritages. This

study will empower women through ocean heritage and help avail opportunities for women to be
in the ocean heritages sites. Students undertaking their studies in similar areas will be able to

refer to this research offering a Namibia perspective. It will be epistemologically helpful to the

National Heritage Council of Namibia.

1.5 Limitations of the study

The lack of funds for traveling, to secure accommodation in Walvis Bay as the researcher is not a

resident of the town and has no relatives there and food, to conduct the interviews with the

participants constitutes a limitation for this research. Therefore, the researcher will need funds

for transport to conduct the study, as she has to go to field sites where her respondents are.

1.6. Delimitations

The study is delimited to Erongo region, specifically Walvis Bay which means that it does not

represent the entirety of Namibia. The researcher will have to interview the women residing in

the town of Walvis Bay particularly those who sell fish, as street vendors, those employed in the

deep sea mining companies and those in transport companies associated with the ocean.

2. Literature Review

Gender equality can be accelerated by the empowerment of women through maritime heritage

activities. This review will assess the available opportunities for women in the ocean heritage

sites and explore indigenization opportunities in respect of marine resources. Although The

literature presents women empowerment agenda in a variety of contexts, this research study will

primary focus on the challenges and opportunities in empowering women through ocean

heritages.
Since only 2% of global seashores and 38% of marine scientists are women, there must be

gender inclusivity in the blue economy for sustainability in the ocean to be achieved (Niilenge,

2019). In some African countries such as Ghana, women handle 90% of small-scale fisheries

productions reported (Merayo, 2019). Women are only seen in low-paying jobs or activities and

rarely seen in managerial or decision making positions. Liswood (2019) stated that women are

rarely given a seat on the local, regional, national or international bodies that deliberate on the

oceans, laws and standards that affect them.

2.1 Theoretical Framework

This study uses intersectional theory, including how factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, age

political affiliation, religion and class playout with women’s empowerment though ocean

heritages. Intersectionality refers to a branch of feminism which identifies how different aspects

of social and political discrimination overlap with gender (Crenshaw,1989). It explains how

multiple identities intersects with gender and contribute to unique experience of oppression and

privilege.

3. Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

A qualitative methodology will be used in this study. A case study will be utilized to gather data

on the ocean heritages. Ethnographic method will be applied, to provide a detailed, in-depth

description of everyday life and practices to interpret actions, and to give historical

interpretation. The researcher will also apply life history as a research method.

3.2 Population
The study will comprise of participants from Erongo region in Namibia. Women in the blue

economy around Walvis Bay will be the overall group. According to Worldometerr (2020)

Namibia has 2.54 million people.

3.2.1 Sampling

Purposive sampling will be utilized. Participants for the study will be selected based on the

characteristics of the population and objectives of the study. A sample size of 20 women will be

sampled for this study. This sample size will comprise of women from within the town of Walvis

Bay.

3.3 Research Instruments

The study will use digital recorders during the collection of data to record the responses obtained

from the key-note informants (KII) and semi-structured interviews (SSI) guides will be used to

collect data. The researcher will also write down field notes during interviews and direct

observations.

3.4 Procedure

Selected participants will be told the purpose of the study and that the interviewer is interested in

the empowering of women through ocean heritages, then the researcher will determine language

preferences and best time for data collection at their preferred sites after the interview questions

have been translated. The researcher will conduct a pilot study test to refine the research

instruments. A letter of permission will be written to the Walvis Bay town councilor to negotiate

access to the community.

3.5. Data Analysis

The gathered data from recordings and field notes, will be transcribed and coded to create themes

and categories refined to help organize data. Themes will be named and defined/described and

subthemes generated where it will be necessary. Also, the exact words of the respondents will be

kept and written as said, where necessary and themes will be created further to illustrate specific

coding technique.

4. Research Ethics

The researcher will apply for ethical clearance from The University of Namibia and also get

permission to collect data. The researcher will identify herself and clear explanation of the study

will be made. Participants’ privacy will be respected-data collected will be anonymous and not

related to names or any other forms of identification. The right to confidentiality and autonomy

will be granted to participants The responses of the participants will be kept in the digital

recorder and only the researcher and the University of Namibia will have access to it. The data

will later be destroyed after the completion of this study.

5.References

CEDAW (1979). Adopted and opened for signature ratification and accession by General

Resolution 34/180 of 18 December. Geneva.

Crenshaw., K. (1989). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and

Violence Against Women of Color. New York City.

Edwards-Jauch, L. (2014). Working for Social Democracy in Namibia: Women’s

Empowerment in Namibia (p.116-144). John Meinert Street. Windhoek

Namibia.

Eliot, M. (2017). Namibia Underwater Cultural Heritage: Country Report. Windhoek

Namibia.

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) (2018). The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia:

Annotated Edition. Windhoek, Namibia.

Liswood, L. (2019). Women’s Voices must be heard in the battle to save the ocean.
 World Economic Forum.

Marine Resources Act (2000). Act 27 of 2000. Government Gazette of the Republic

Of Namibia. Windhoek, Namibia.

Merayo, E. (2019). Steering Gender to the Centre of the blue Economy. IIED Research

Centre.

MITSMED (n.d). Growth Strategy for Namibia’s Seafood Industry and Associated Value

Chains. Windhoek, Namibia.

MFMR (2009). Policy Statement (Guidelines) for the Granting of rights to Harvest
Marine

Resources. Windhoek, Namibia.

Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) (2017). Strategic Plan 2017-

2022. Windhoek, Namibia.

Moorsom, R. (1997). Underdevelopment and Labour Migration. The Contract labour

System in Namibia. CHR Michelsen Institute, Norway.

Namibia’s 5th National Development Plan (2017). Working together towards Prosperity.

Republic of Namibia.

Namibia’s Marine Resources Policy (2004). Towards Responsible Development and

Management of the Marine Sector. Namibia.

Namibia Heritage Act no. 27 of 2004 (2004). Government Gazette of the Republic of

Namibia.

Niilenge, I. (2019). Namibia Urged to protect the Ocean. The Namibian. Walvis Bay.

Uushona, D., & Makuti, O. (2008). Walvis Bay Biodiversity Report: Enhancing Urban

Nature through Global Networls of Local Governments. Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Russel, D..W., & Wolf, R. (2012). Occupational Mapping Namibian Fishing and

Maritime Industry. Phase one: Commercial Fishing Industry & Ports and

Harbours. Windhoek

UN (2015). Gender Equality and Sustainable Development World Survey on the role

Of Women in Development.

Zijl, S. (n.d). Namibia’s Heritage Sites. Retrieved from.www.travelnewsnamibia.com

/news/stories/destinations/Namibia-heritage sites/.

Worldometer (2020). Worldometers:info/world-population/Namibia-population/: 38.